The price

I see the moon, and the moon sees me.

 

It is a song we sang at school all the time. And tonight I was overly aware of the moon. There was the strange feeling that it could see me too. The air was quiet as I walked along the lonely path. I had the foreboding feeling that I was forgetting something but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t figure it out.

 

As I walked into the compound, I saw my both parent standing on the courtyard.

 

“Where is Arden?” My mother immediately asked when she saw me

 

“Arden,” I said louder. “He was behind us. Wasn’t he?”

 

My parents exchanged looks.

 

“We left you both at the hall”

 

“The hall?”

 

Darius’s words replayed in my head.

 

Please let me punish the traitor as I see fit.

 

I took to my heels, running towards the castle with no second thought. The one person who knew me too well is Darius, and he knows best what could be punishment for me.

 

“Elara, get back here!”

 

My mother screamed behind me but I was already running. I figured it out too late. I might have saved my parents but what about Arden? He had died while protecting me, did I fail to change his fate?

 

I was so focused on saving my parents that I forgot to count.

 

Stupid me.

 

All I could do was run, run towards Arden hoping I wouldn’t be too late. At the front of the castle, guards patrolled in pairs with grim faces. One of the. stepped in front of me.

 

“Lady Elara, the lord is waiting for you in his chambers”

 

I wasn’t a visitor at the castle or Darius’s chambers. But I was right, he took Arden hostage as punishment for me.

 

“Where is he?”

 

“His chambers”

 

I grabbed the guard’s arm.

 

“Where is my brother?”

 

The guard hesitated. Then lowered his eyes. “He was detained for questioning on the lord's orders.”

 

I saw it coming but it was nothing like hearing it. If I don’t act fast, Arden would die of treason.

 

“Take me to him,” I said.

 

“Alpha Darius said no one”

 

“Then take me to Darius. Tell him I refuse to meet in his chambers”

 

The guard stared for a second before he ran.

 

I stood there, hugging myself. Night air bit my skin. My dress was torn from running. I looked like a madwoman.

 

After a few minutes, another guard emerged from the darkness,

 

“Alpha Darius is waiting are the tea room”

 

When I arrived, he was seated casually on a chair. He wore a black shirt with his sleeves rolled up. His eyes swept over me.

 

“You came back,” he said.

 

“You took my brother,” I said. No bows or courtesy

 

Darius’s jaw ticked. “He walked into my hall and demanded to see me. Said he’d ‘handle it his own way’. It sounded familiar.”

 

My stomach dropped. Why did Arden always have to be so impulsive? Yesterday, he suddenly shifted before the Alpha, escalating matters. Now he walked straight into Arden’s trap

 

Darius stood up and stepped closer.

 

“He refused to let his sister face punishment.”

 

I bowed,

 

“Please forgive him, he is but a child”

 

A deep and throaty chuckle escaped from him.

 

“You rejected me, Elara”

 

His voice cracked on the last word. The hurt from earlier was back.  

 

“And now your brother is paying for it,” he continued. “Because you walked out, and he stayed to clean up your mess.”

 

I flinched. “He’s innocent.”

 

“Is he?” Darius’s eyes narrowed. “You knew I’d reject you. You said the words before I could speak. You walked out knowing my father would call for blood. You walked out knowing someone would have to answer for your defiance.”

 

He wasn’t wrong.

 

I swallowed.

 

“Let me ask you a question. Which of the maids told you about my plan?”

 

I met his eyes, those darn yellow eyes.

 

“No one”

 

He laughed hysterically.

 

“So what? You rejected me because you wanted to?”

 

I could feel tears burning my eyes

 

“Please, let him go. Take me instead.”

 

I pleaded.

 

He laughed again. This time all the humor was gone.

 

“You think I want another prisoner? I have cells full of them.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“The maids, someone must have snitched on me! And if I don’t find that someone, they will all die, so tell me Elara!”

 

The tears in my eyes stung, threatening to fall. He seemed to have noticed,

 

“Elara”

 

He called my name with all the gentleness in the world. Like if he screamed, I could break. How can this be the same man who ordered the hunt of my family. Could it have been a nightmare?

 

“Was it a dream?”

 

I heard myself ask.

 

“The Darius I knew, is that who you are?”

 

I could see a hurt flash across his face but it was quickly replaced by something else.

 

“Please let the maids go, Arden too”

 

“Elara”

 

He moved back to the balcony taking a break before he continued to say,

 

“What do I gain from letting them go?”

 

“What do you want?” I snapped.  “My life? Take it. Just not his . Just not those innocent girls”

 

The courtyard was silent and I suddenly noticed as Darius studied me. Long and hard.

 

“You,” he said finally. “I want you.”

 

My blood froze.

 

“Not as a prisoner,” he continued, “As my Luna.”

 

I stared at him. “What?”

 

“You heard me.” He stepped closer until we were inches apart.

 

Cedar and steel. The scent that used to mean safety suddenly reeked of danger.

 

If you want to protect your brother, do it the right way.”

 

His eyes were gold. Wolf eyes. But not angry. Desperate.

 

“Marry me, Elara,” he said.

 

“Why?” I whispered.

 

He reached out but didn’t touch me. He just let his hand hover near my face.

 

“You rejected me once,” he said. “Reject me again, and I can’t save Arden. My father will take him. And you know what happens next.”

 

I do know what happens next .

 

Arden’s body hitting the ground.

 

“No,” I whispered.

 

Darius dropped his hand. “Then say yes, Elara. Say the words. Become my Luna. And I’ll give you your brother back.”

 

He took a step back, and then another step back.

 

I could finally breathe.

 

Somehow, yesterday, which Is remembered only by myself, I was rejected by this man that I love.  Today I rejected him to save my family and now I have to accept him to save them,

 

The future was shifting again.